Naebbetold

Naebbetold (Norwegian: nebbetol, Faroese: nevtollur/ravnatollur, Danish: næbbetold/næbtold) translated in English as "bill/beak tax" was a bounty and penalty system in the Faroe Islands that was established in ancient times to encourage able-bodied young men to kill birds-of-prey and ravens.

The examination of this evidence was made during the spring assembly in each district and the beaks were brought on St. Olaf's day, 29 July, to Thorshavn where they were destroyed by burning in the presence of a judge.

The penalty in the original decree was 1 skinn (the value of one sheep skin, and in the mid-19th century equal to a day's wages) or the confiscation of goods but in later times this was a fine of 4 marks (or rigsdaler).

34 of 11 March 1892 (“Lov om Ødelæggelse af Ravnenes Yngel på Færøerne") encouraged land owners to destroy the broods of ravens and were fined if they neglected this duty.

The payments have since stopped but Law number 27 of 9 September 1954 continues to allow the free hunting of ravens, crows and gulls at any time except on Sundays and holidays on the Faeroe Islands.

[5][6][7] Captain Henry W. Feilden visited the island in 1872 and on Osteroe he observed the deposition and destruction of 46 raven bills, 526 of crows, gulls and skuas in one district alone.